7 fun events for Hispanic Heritage Month in Rochester

National Hispanic Heritage Month is a 31-day celebration of song, dance, food, talks and more, and it is well underway.

This year’s annual event continues through Oct. 15. It's the 30th anniversary of the federal designation, honoring the histories, cultures and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

There are many events and activities left to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month in the Rochester region. Here are events to consider:

Tropicana Dinner

The University of Rochester’s Spanish & Latino Students' Association will hold its 31st annual Tropicana Dinner Celebration from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 5 in the May Room of Wilson Commons on the university’s River Campus, 500 Wilson Blvd., Rochester. The event celebrates Spanish and Latino culture at the university and will feature music, entertainment and dinner. General public tickets are $15. Following the dinner there will be a Tropicana Dance at Brue Coffee Co., 960 Genesee St., Rochester, from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. The dance will focus on salsa, bachata, merengue, tango and reggae music. For ticket information, email ursalsa86@gmail.com.

-- Also on Oct. 5, at 8 p.m., the University of Rochester’s Program of Dance and Movement will host Rebeca Tomas and A Palo Seco, a New York City-based Flamenco dance company. The performance will be held in the dance studio at Spurrier Hall on the university’s River Campus, 500 Wilson Blvd., Rochester. General public tickets are $10. Organizers suggest arriving early as the event coincides with the university’s Meliora Weekend and parking will be sparse. For more information, call (585) 273-5150.

Youth Dance Night

Rochester’s Youth Dance Night to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at the MLK Park Lodge, 353 Court St., Rochester. There will be Latin music and food. For more information, go to cityofrochester.gov/hhm.

Rise Up Latina

Rise Up Latina — an annual empowerment event for women — will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 11 at MLK Park Lodge, 353 Court St., Rochester. There will be guest speakers and information booths. For more information, call (585) 428-5990 or go to cityofrochester.gov/hhm.

Latino-Hispanic Heritage Family Day at the Memorial Art Gallery.(Photo: University of Rochester/Brandon Vick)

Latino-Hispanic Heritage Celebration

The Memorial Art Gallery will host a Latino-Hispanic Heritage Celebration from noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 14 at 500 University Ave. in Rochester. Activities include hands-on art activities for kids; international cultural displays; a country spotlight on Costa Rica and a fashion show. Groups will perform music, dance and storytelling throughout the day, including: RCSD School No. 17; AFI Afro-Caribbean ensemble and Eliud Nieves. At 4 p.m. there will be a Latino Performing Arts Showcase in the museum’s ballroom. The suggested donation is $5 per family or group (includes museum admission). For more information, go to mag.rochester.edu.

Nidiria Ruiz Medina Lecture

Nidiria Ruiz Medina is a community organizer, educator and women's peace activist from the Naya River region in Cauca, Colombia. She will present a talk titled, "In Defense of Ancestral Lands: Afro-Colombian Women Resist U.S. Militarization and the War on Drugs," from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 15 in the Medaille Formal Lounge on the campus of Nazareth College, 4245 East Ave., Pittsford. The talk is free and open to the public as part of the Latinx Heritage Month 2018.

Upstate Latino Summit

The 11th Upstate Latino Summit will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Joseph A. Floreano Riverside Convention Center, 123 E Main St., Rochester. Hosted by Ibero-American Action League and the City of Rochester, this all-day event features workshop tracks in education, health and human services and economic development. The conference is geared toward people who want to learn about the challenges and issues facing Latinos in upstate New York and who want to learn how to do business and deepen relationships with the Latino community. The cost is $55 for lunch only; $99 for workshops only or $125 for both. For more information call (585) 256-8900, ext. 631, or visit UpstateLatinoSummit.org.